Your Guide to Planning a Winter Wedding in Colorado

While summer and fall reign supreme as the most popular seasons to get married, winter weddings are on the rise! This trend is especially noticeable in the beautiful snowy mountains of Colorado, where we’re lucky enough to plan weddings. However, if you’re planning a winter wedding in Colorado, there are some practical considerations you should bear in mind. We’ve created this guide to help you get started!

​P.S. Don’t forget to bookmark this page to access these tips throughout the planning process!

Planning a Winter Wedding in Colorado: Your Ultimate Guide

Embrace Flexibility

In Colorado, couples dream of exchanging their vows outside, surrounded by a snowy wonderland. Some venues have an all-season outdoor ceremony space, while others give you the option of opening large doors to create an indoor-outdoor feel. However, Colorado’s winter weather isn’t always compatible with either of those options. It’s crucial to not only have your “dream” plan A but also a plan B you LOVE! That way, you won’t be left disappointed on your big day if Mother Nature forces a change of plans. 

Do a First Look

Even as first looks become commonplace, we understand some couples prefer to save the surprise for their ceremony. However, having a winter wedding in Colorado almost necessitates doing a first look. Daylight hours are significantly limited, so you’ll want to get through most of your portraits before your ceremony. Typically, that looks like doing a first look, followed by portraits, followed by the rest of the wedding day. Once you have your date, check when the sun will set. Then, build your timeline accordingly.

Choose Your Photographer Carefully

Many couples hire a photographer because they love the brightly lit images they’ve taken at summer weddings. But if you’re planning a winter wedding, it’s crucial to consider that the lighting conditions will be very different (and, in many cases, not ideal). Accordingly, you should discuss this with prospective photographers on your discovery calls. Will they bring flashes? What is their experience shooting in winter or dimly lit areas? These questions will help you narrow your options and choose a photographer who can capture stunning images at your winter wedding.

Have Honest Conversations With Your Vendors

If you’re having a winter wedding, it’s more likely that the weather won’t be ideal than in other seasons. With this in mind, you should initiate honest conversations with your vendors about the weather.

​Will they plan for bad roads, especially if your venue is remote? What can you provide to ensure they’re able to fulfill their contract? What additional services can they provide to ensure the weather doesn’t negatively impact your wedding? For example, your florist should keep your bouquet wrapped between pictures so your flowers don’t freeze. Having a clear understanding of the expectations on both sides will ensure no unnecessary conflict or misunderstandings.

Get Weather-Appropriate Rentals

If you’re committed to having an outdoor ceremony, you’ll need to put extra thought into creating a comfortable environment for your guests. Renting blankets and umbrellas is one of our favorite ways to make an outdoor winter wedding feel cozy! We have clear umbrellas in our inventory at Sapphire Celebrations so you can provide comfort without sacrificing elegance. We also love renting umbrellas, shawls, and fluffy throw blankets from Weather or Not, a local Colorado business.

Choose a Great Winter Color Palette

Having a winter wedding means you get to choose a unique color palette! It’s the season to embrace the darker shades and jewel tones that usually get left out of summer weddings. Or, you could opt for a palette of rose and mauve tones, just in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ve included some palettes we love below that you can pin for inspiration! 

Colorado Wedding Planner

Planning a winter wedding in Colorado comes with unique challenges. You must prepare for inclement weather, communicate clearly with your vendors, and plan your timeline to maximize the limited daylight. Our team of Colorado wedding planners is familiar with these challenges and can help you overcome them to have the winter wonderland wedding of your dreams! We would love to hear your vision and help you choose the planning package that best fits your needs. Send us a message, and we’ll schedule your free discovery call!

Vendors:

Studio Lemus